Diane Gifford, PhD

Dr. Diane Gifford is a literacy research specialist and former Clinical Associate Professor who currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development at Southern Methodist University (SMU). Since earning her Ph.D. in Educational Research with a focus on literacy in 2013, she has taught graduate-level courses in literacy and learning and actively engaged in literacy research at SMU. A former classroom teacher and school administrator in Dallas, Texas, Diane has contributed to a variety of projects, including the initial research and development of iStation Indicators of Progress and, more recently, The Enigma Project, an educational technology app designed to support adults with low literacy in learning to read. She currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, bringing her expertise in literacy research, curriculum design, and educational technology to efforts advancing equitable literacy learning for children and adults. Throughout her career, Diane has remained dedicated to Transforming Lives through Literacy.